I recently re-watched a documentary from 2001 about J.K. Rowling's inspiration for and progress to international stardom with the Harry Potter books. The series' incredible popularity focused the spotlight on her experience yet it is not so different from that of any author. Great ideas often appear out of nowhere, demanding to be told. They ensnare an author, holding sway over their mind. The intense drive to write in such moments is the purest form of elation, the rest of one's life standing in the way of performing the only activity that seems to hold any significance.
That is the inspiration part of the writing process. Most of what follows resembles homework more than the excitement of a grand adventure. Determined effort is key to finishing then crafting a story. It means deciding not to watch that next episode of your favourite TV show or spending your lunch writing since there's no other opportunity.
In addition to the challenges presented by time, an author's feelings for their work often resemble a bipolar disorder. In one moment, a piece can seem not worth dignifying with another glance and the next the author may be unable to believe that a section of such brilliance came from their own mind. Then there's the uncertainty of quality, the imposing voice constantly whispering that, just because you like it, does not mean anyone else will.
Given the personal investment writing demands it's miraculous that anything ever gets written. That's the amazing thing about artists – they are compelled to tackle the world, shaping it in their own vision for intellectual curiousity, the pleasure of exploration or simply because they're following a string of thoughts to their conclusions.
Of late I've been feeling down about my circumstances, in part because I have not had the energy to do any serious editing or writing beyond April Camp Nanowrimo. One of my newsletter followers, who is also an author, provided me with an honest review of Call of the Black Panther and offered me some pointers for future books. All of the input she provided was incredibly important but perhaps what mattered even more to me were her words of encouragement, author to author.
Essentially, she stated that it is tenacity and determination that makes an author and, the more I proceed on my personal literary journey while learning about others', the more I'm convinced this is true. A brilliant idea fades into obscurity if it is not developed and shared in an accessible way with others. The passion for authorship, which pushes one past the daily struggles and challenges, is what makes an author.
It's true that most writers will never even glimpse J. K. Rowling's economic reality yet that makes the act all the more special. No one becomes an author for the money so those who practice have to truly love what they do.
That is the inspiration part of the writing process. Most of what follows resembles homework more than the excitement of a grand adventure. Determined effort is key to finishing then crafting a story. It means deciding not to watch that next episode of your favourite TV show or spending your lunch writing since there's no other opportunity.
In addition to the challenges presented by time, an author's feelings for their work often resemble a bipolar disorder. In one moment, a piece can seem not worth dignifying with another glance and the next the author may be unable to believe that a section of such brilliance came from their own mind. Then there's the uncertainty of quality, the imposing voice constantly whispering that, just because you like it, does not mean anyone else will.
Given the personal investment writing demands it's miraculous that anything ever gets written. That's the amazing thing about artists – they are compelled to tackle the world, shaping it in their own vision for intellectual curiousity, the pleasure of exploration or simply because they're following a string of thoughts to their conclusions.
Of late I've been feeling down about my circumstances, in part because I have not had the energy to do any serious editing or writing beyond April Camp Nanowrimo. One of my newsletter followers, who is also an author, provided me with an honest review of Call of the Black Panther and offered me some pointers for future books. All of the input she provided was incredibly important but perhaps what mattered even more to me were her words of encouragement, author to author.
Essentially, she stated that it is tenacity and determination that makes an author and, the more I proceed on my personal literary journey while learning about others', the more I'm convinced this is true. A brilliant idea fades into obscurity if it is not developed and shared in an accessible way with others. The passion for authorship, which pushes one past the daily struggles and challenges, is what makes an author.
It's true that most writers will never even glimpse J. K. Rowling's economic reality yet that makes the act all the more special. No one becomes an author for the money so those who practice have to truly love what they do.
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